Gov. Christie wary of bill to deregulate basic phone service

TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie said today he has "grave concerns" about legislation that would deregulate basic telephone service, and will not support it unless it prevents senior citizens from seeing a big jump in their monthly bill.

Christie's comments are likely to doom the bill's chances from moving ahead.

On a conference call with 17,000 members of the AARP today, Christie spoke expansively on the controversial bill for the first time. The governor has previously said he supports deregulation in general as a way to make the state more attractive to businesses. But now after reviewing the bill, Christie said he has "grave concerns about it in its current form."

"I think that I have significant concerns about the bill as currently written because of the lack of protection for seniors," Christie said, noting that he has conveyed this message to lawmakers who support the legislation.

"While (the bill) achieves deregulation, it also (must) provide sufficient protections to seniors so they do not have an enormous increase" in basic telephone service, which he called "a life-line .. We have to make sure seniors have that at an affordable price," the governor added.

Earlier this week Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D-Union), a prime sponsor of the bill, said he "wouldn't move it without the governor's support, because it would be an exercise in futility. Been here, done that."

The bill, (S2664), would remove regulations on the industry, which proponents say will make New Jersey more competitive and attractive to business. Consumer groups contend it would remove many consumer protections and would cause telephone rates to soar.

The Assembly has already approved the bill.

The AARP, which organized the teleconference, said 17,000 of its members have called their elected state officials to urged them to vote no, said Jim Dieterle, AARP's senior state director.